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Jacob's Ladder question

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

I bought a small Jacob's Ladder plant....maybe 2-3 months ago. Potted it in a larger pot.

I did see a few small flowers at one point but...then the plant seemed to get a little 'stagnant'...wasn't seeing much in the way of overall growth...or more flowers... I see some small buds but they've been that way for a while now...

In addition, the plant has two new stems with leaves that are noticeably much larger in size (in center of photo and at right side of photo), than the rest of the plant's leaves.

Any ideas what may be going on?

Thanks!

hmmmm...not sure what's going on...I'm trying to attach photo but 'nothing' happens...it simply doesn't get attached....no error message either.... I've attached photos successfully before, so the site must have a temporary bug...

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Comments (6)

Lynn Nevins
Original Author
10 years ago
....still can't upload pix for some reason, so here it is on my FB page.... Thanks.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157184421755294&set=pb.751595293.-2207520000.1466451250.&type=3&theater
wisconsitom
10 years ago
Lynn, is there any specific reason why this plant is being held in a pot? Would likely do much better in the ground.
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@ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5 I’m in north washington DC, the soil is odd to me, its earth, not just top soil/potting soil brought in when the landlords redid the stone work (im from the suburbs where there isnt as much hardscaping). Ive tested the PH and periodically add acidifer and Miracle Gro liquid fertilizer. Fertilize about every 2-3 weeks, i’ve added a small amount of acidifer before planting in mid march, again in late april, and added a small amount a few days ago (the jacobs ladder was already struggling before the acidifer). I also added compost in late february before planting so the soil shouldve been in top shape before i planted everything. The wall has always been there, it recieves SW sun in the afternoons, probably 2-3 hours of filtered sun as it the light has to peep through the alley way to reach the patio. I usually give everything a light water every other night, assuming we havent had substantial rain. we’ve had a bit of a dry spell prior to last week, so i was watering more consistently. I generally wait for the mulch do be nearly dry before watering again. There is the exact same Jacob’s Ladder like 3 feet away and it doing amazing well, and a not-varigated variety about 3 feet away on the other side as well that is thriving. It is just this one in the middle that suddenly started to die. I am considering giving it very light daily watering to see if that helps it. The issue started after a really hot day, eveyrthing else perked up, this one did not and has since begun to deteoriate.
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...and thank you, Floral, for the comment re: possible thrips. I just sprayed the plant with a castille, neem, cinnamon spray. Hopefully that will help. I'm also continuing to see even more very healthy looking new growth, emerge from the crown of the plant, so I'm hopeful!
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Lynn Nevins
Original Author
10 years ago
In answer to your question, I only have a balcony on which to do my gardening.... ;-) I live in NYC.
WoodsTea 6a MO
10 years ago
I wonder if the newer, larger leaves are a result of different conditions on your balcony than where the plant was before. Fertilizer, more light, etc.

Any possibility that there are two different plants there? I find this happens sometimes with plants I buy from nurseries. It's a little hard to tell without higher resolution photos of the plant. Do the stems look similar? Is the leaf venation similar?

What are the conditions like on your balcony? Does it get much sun, and how hot would you say it gets in the afternoons?
wisconsitom
10 years ago
Got it. Some species have juvenile foliage and then, mature foliage as the plant grows. I'm not sufficiently well-versed on Polemonium to know whether this is such a case. But it's out there.
dstenerson
10 years ago
I have overwintered young Jacob'Ladders in pots when I ran out of time to prepare a area for planting, and have often seen the larger leaves on new growth like that. They do bloom in early spring, and I have never seen any re-bloom later in the season. Fortunately, the seed-heads are also quite attractive, as is the foliage of course. Also, they seem to overwinter easily, I rarely lose any, so maybe it will be happy enough growing in a pot. It's a shame you don't have a place to plant them so it looks like mine, though!

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